Increased funding from the City of Edmonton will allow iHuman Youth Society to provide 120 daytime shelter spaces for youth experiencing homelessness.

“For us, it's transformational,” said Beryl Bacchus, executive director of iHuman, during a news conference at the non-profit’s downtown location on Friday.

The city said about 5,000 people experience homelessness in Edmonton, including more than 1,000 youth.

Bacchus said the centre, which operates from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, sees about 500 youth a week .

With the extra funding, the youth society can stay open until 9 p.m. and address a growing waitlist for social workers and counsellors from next Wednesday onward, Bacchus said.

“Besides providing the basic needs that one would require during the coldest months of the year, we have our s

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